Well, finally getting back to reality after a whirlwind few weeks. See, I was busy getting married and honeymooning in Mexico. The time went by really fast, which everyone warns you, but what can you do. I enjoyed it all thoroughly and was able to rest a bit near Puerto Vallarta for 8 days. Gia and I stayed at a small resort with a private beach for the first 5 nights in Sayulita. The final 3 nights in a high-rise all-inclusive hotel in Nuevo Vallarta called RIU Hotel Vallarta. The two locations couldn't have been more different and had only one thing in common, they were both near the beach. Our villa in Sayulita was called Playa Escondida and there were only a few couples there the whole time. We had literally had the beach chairs, hammocks and private beach area to ourselves most any day. We also would be among the only people in the pool and hot tub. The exclusive outdoor restaurant was so empty that the famous chef would sit with us for dinner, and come up with customized concoctions. We were treated so well, it was amazing. In fact our whole Mexican vacation was that way, from the drivers, hotel staff, and even medical facility. See, I got and ear infection about half-way and hoped it would pass. I ordered the wrong medicine since I didn't know the words for wax buildup in Spanish. Later when in Nuevo Vallarta we walked into a private medical facility and I was immediately taken care of by the Dr. who spoke perfect English. I couldn't get over how this would never happen in The States (I have Kaiser).
At the RIU we went out to buffet breakfast, lunches and dinners until we ate so much we had to hti the gym and go to the disco. Later we regrouped and enjoyed the spa and had a fancy dinner out. We enjoyed watching the entertainment provided by the young sports/entertainment team who we played water volleyball with earlier in the days. We met several other couples who were married on the same day as us, and I enjoyed trying to figure out how far apart in hours our weddings took place, accounting for time-zones.
Our wedding weekend was so wonderful. From the rehearsal dinner, where we had 70 guests for the Spanish themed outdoor dinner with tapas, paella, tri-tip, sangria, etc. This party, in honor of my late mother, was planned and executed by me and all of my siblings and came off well. It was fun to see a lot of people dressed in red and black. The decor, which Anita and Maria did, was amazing. The house was graciously provided by our family friends, Yvonne and David Perez. After my opening remarks, my Dad did an invocation and everyone, hungrily lined up for the main courses around the Spanish dining time of 9:30. By 11 we were all exhausted and needing rest for the next day.
The wedding day included me delivering chairs, doing finishing touches at the reception site (The Ranch) and going to Radio Shack before a final run by Taco Bell. I got to The Mission in time, but it required some playful running through the streets on San Juan Bautista while the video camera was following me and my best man, Altie. To my surprise, our priest hadn't arrived and didn't until 3:00 exactly, the time we should have started. After about 20 min. he was ready while I poured the holy wine and picked out his vestments. Somehow, we managed to take a whole series of photos in the garden with Altie and my Dad while waiting. The procession was really long, and as I was emotionally watching Gia appear backlit when they opened the large wood door...she immediately came out of her fancy Christian Louboutin red healed shoe. I went from crying to laughing right quick. When we finally got on with it there were other funny moments, including our vows. I proclaimed, "this is a tough crowd" at least once.
For the ceremony, I brought Gia a handkerchief that she had given me that read "JOY" on it. This was one of the 7 she made for me for an earlier AIDS ride. I also brought her the compass she'd given me, which I had previously dismissed to let her know I hadn't forgot the gift. I held a small delicate hanky that was my Mom's.
Following a pictures on the altar, with my family outside and just us in the garden we got in an old car and headed to the reception. We were greeted well while in the rumble seat driving up the road to The Ranch. Missing out on most of the cocktail hour we were swept right to the tables. Gia's Dad did a funny toast focusing on how I should look out for his "smiling" mafia conciliaris. Altie did a great best man toast from the heart and Carla, the maid of honor, followed it up with a hilariously written speech that included several suggestions on how to survived the Borelli family. Gia and I thank everyone and we got on with the festivities which included a special Limoncello toast and my Dad's famous wedding skit that included a lot of hat wearing.
Everyone seemed to enjoy either hanging out in the haybale couch area, indoors watching the slideshow I created, under heat lamps, or on the dance floor. Dancing continued well into the night.
Some responses we've gotten include that this was the best wedding they'd ever been too; and I wonder if everyone just says that about the most recent good wedding they enjoyed.
Sunday, we finished things up with a brunch at San Juan Oaks for family and out of town guests. After doing some cleanup and opening a few presents, we were back to San Francisco Sunday night in time to regroup for our Monday morning honeymoon flight.
